By Jessica Micallef
This year’s flu season is shaping up as one of the worst in several years according to health professionals.
Medical practices in Macedon Ranges and Kyneton have experienced a high number of flu cases already this season and the number of confirmed cases across the state
is “above expected levels for this time of year”.
Practitioners are urging residents to get a flu vaccination.
Campaspe Family Practice’s Dr Robert Power said there had been more cases of flu in the Macedon Ranges in 2019 compared to the same time in previous years.
“We are seeing … cases higher among school-aged children and in the elderly,” he said. “The season is shaping up to be a bad flu season.
“I think the official position is that the figures to come will show for a much higher season.”
Dr Power said the only way to prevent the flu was the influenza vaccine.
“We encourage everyone to get vaccinated, in particular people aged over 65.
“It can take two weeks for the vaccine to work. It cannot cause the flu. I think there are a lot of urban myths out there.”
Kyneton District Health clinical nurse consultant Robyn Freeman said the number of confirmed cases across the state was “above expected levels for this time of year”.
“Notifications for influenza are trending upwards and the predominate influenza type across the state is currently Type A.
“Geographically, influenza is widespread across the state [and] annual immunisation against the flu is recommended for all people from six months of age.”
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told The Age there had already been 18,664 confirmed flu cases this season.
“That’s nine times more than the same time last year,” she said. “We’ve had 31 confirmed flu deaths so far this year.”
